'A Christmas Carol' - Chapter Analysis: Stave Three - The Second of the Three Spirits

 Chapter Analysis - Stave Three - The Second of the Three Spirits

Scrooge's room is transformed:

1) The clock strikes one again to indicate that a new section of the story is about to begin.

2) Scrooge finds the Ghost of Christmas Present in the room next to his bedroom.  The room is filled with lots of Christmas decor, including holly, ivy, mistletoe, a blazing fire, and all kinds of food.  

3) There's a huge abundance of food in the room and in the shops that the spirit takes Scrooge to visit.  Dickens is emphasing that there is plenty of food for everyone and that no one should go hungry at Christmas.  

The ghost teaches Scrooge the spirit of Christmas:

1) In the chapter, the spirit shows Scrooge lots of people celebrating Christamas in different places.  Even those who are poor, sick, or separated from their families are cheerful and good-humoured.  Dickens emphasises that Christmas is a special time of the year, from which even the most disadvantaged can benefit.  

2) The ghost sprinkles drops of "incense" from his torch over hoomes, hospitals, jails, almhouses (charitable housing for the poor and elderly), and over anyone who beings arguing.   When this happens, their "good humour" is "restored directly".  

3) The ghost shows Scrooge that Christmas can help to bring people together and improve people's moods.  

The Cratchits show the importance of family:

1) Scrooge and the ghost visit Bob's house and the ghost blesses his house.  

2) The Cratchit's Christmas celebration is full of happiness.  As their Christmas Day draws to a close, they…